The Great Race – Part 1
Wednesday 26th October
Noon
Tavern on the Park
“Diana darling
– has my sister finally given you the all clear to come out?”
“She has
indeed,” Diana de Ros said as she approached the table, wearing a light blue
trouser suit with a white roll neck sweater underneath. “Although I am still not a hundred per cent
recovered, I can at least join you for lunch again. How is the campaign going, Claire?”
“We should be
all right – if we can weather this latest storm – but forget that for now,
let’s just sit and eat,” Claire Morse said with a smile. Both she and Kelly Rochermann had chosen to
wear coat dresses that day.
“Diana – it is
good to see you again.”
“And you
Rachel,” Diana said as she stood and kissed Rachel McNally on the cheek. “How are things?”
“Given the
news,” Rachel said as she and Sandy sat down, “as well as can be expected. Hello Gale – I see you found our princess?”
“Only because
Jan and I had a Huntingdown meeting, and she met us getting out of the cab,”
Juliette said as she sat down with Jan and Gale. “So, what looks good?”
“Apart from the
waiter,” Tonia said as she came in with Francesca and Eleanor.
“Yes, apart
from him,” Sandy said as she shook her head.
“Where’s Liz today?”
“Doing
something with her mother and sister,” Tonia said as she looked at the menu,
“I’m just glad we can all get together for lunch again. So, what looks good…”
“So is there
any truth behind these rumors regarding Andre Kannenikov’s death Jan?”
Claire Morse asked as they waited for the server to bring lunch.
As she looked
up, Jan smiled and said “Rumors? What rumors?”
“Oh come off it
Jan,” Claire laughed, “I know the FBI aren’t the ones investigating his murder
but you guys hear things we don’t get to hear…”
“So spill
please,” Rachel interrupted her friend.
“Let me put it
this way,” Jan smiled as her lunch was served, “the NYPD are pretty sure that
it was his private tastes for sado-masochistic sex that got him killed.”
“Who’d of thunk
it,” Kelly Rochermann said as she shook her head.
“Thought what
Kel?” Sandy whispered as she sipped her wine, “just because he was a famous
person doesn’t mean he couldn’t be leading a secret double life you know.”
“I know,” Kelly
sighed, “I guess like so many other people I tend to put celebrities on a
pedestal and forget they are really just ordinary people as capable of having
secret vices as anyone.”
“Anyway to
answer Claire’s original question,” Jan spoke again, “the police are probing
the stories that he’d been seeing a couple of boys secretly and that it was one
of them maybe got nasty and killed him like that.”
“Ugggh, such a
nasty way to die,” Gale said as she shook her head. “To be tortured like that…”
“Can we change
the topic to something more pleasant like the party?” Juliette broke in. “I
want to eat my lunch without having to think about all that.”
“Sorry Ju, I
apologize,” Claire nodded.
“So are all of
you set for this thing?” Diana asked, “I must say that I am actually looking
forward to it immensely.”
“Well I’ve done
everything I know to ensure it will be fabulous,” Kelly smiled.
“Well if our
hostess thinks it will be a party to top all parties, I think we can be assured
we will have fun,” Tonia laughed.
“And any plans
for a dance off this year?”
“A dance
off?” Francesca sipped her wine and
looked round the table.
“Don’t ask,”
Kelly laughed. “But no – just some
amazing costumes I hope. When do our
British friends get here?”
“I think Aggie
and her family arrive tomorrow, and the others Friday,” Diana said. “The West Coast branch will fly in over the
weekend.”
“And our
daughters?”
“Come back for
a long weekend this Saturday,” Kelly said with a smile. “So you’ll be returning to London soon
Francesca?”
“I will Tonia,”
Francesca said as she wiped her mouth. “The
matters that I’ve been working on are being wound up, and my law practice in
London needs me there to catch up on work that has piled up while Hannah and I
have been in America.”
“Well we will
miss you.”
“Thank you,”
the Marchesa smiled, “but it’s also time for my daughter and granddaughter to
return home as well.”
“At least you
are staying for my party.”
“I wouldn’t
miss it for anything Kelly,” Francesca smiled again.
“Has that boat
you bought arrived in England yet?” Eleanor asked.
“It should be
there at the Marina in Whitstable in the next couple of days, and I will admit
taking her out and teaching my daughter to sail are two things I’m looking
forward to hugely.”
“I know how
much you love sailing.”
“That is true
Eleanor. Going out sailing was one of the things that helped me preserve my
sanity all those years. Being out there on the water was a place I could go and
forget everything that had happened, even if only for a short time.”
“We all need
things and places we can do, and go to, so as to escape the pressures of
living,” Diana looked serious, “for me that place is on the target range.”
“As it is for
my daughter,” Janice nodded.
“Talking of
Katy and shooting, I hear congratulations are in order,” Nessa spoke, “my
granddaughter tells me that Katy won an important competition.”
“She did,”
Janice took her turn to smile, “and she’s now trying to badger me into getting
her a trophy cabinet.”
“She is going
to need it Cherie,” Diana smiled as well, “Katy I think is going to be an
excellent competitive shooter.”
“Katy has a lot
to thank you for as her coach in that Diana. Anyway it can wait till she
returns from these shows in Ireland.”
“Yes after
having to be rearranged a couple of times they are now definitely set,” Juliette
sipped her wine, “I got messages from both Eve, and from Orion that
they will be held after Fiona’s funeral and memorial service.”
“Have you heard
from Grace?”
“We have indeed
– but she can tell us more when she gets back this weekend. She’s flying over with Pippa’s aunt.”
“So what else
is going on of importance?” Nessa asked as the waiter served coffee.
“Well Mother,”
Sandy said as she took a cup, “I was going to tell you later, but with both Jan
and Jeanne here I might as well tell everyone…”
Jan and Jeanne
nodded as Nessa said “Tell us what darling?”
“That RCM has
not only been invited back to Sebring next year, but Henri also applied for us
to run at Le Mans next year…and our entry has been accepted.”
“IT HAS?”
several of the women asked at the same time.
“Yes,” Sandy
smiled broadly. “We will need to discuss logistics, finance, etc…”
“And even then
we may not be in a position to race,” Jeanne interrupted.
“But we are
going to see whether we can indeed go to France,” Jan said as Eleanor stared at
her.
“Darling I’m so
happy for you all,” Nessa let a couple of joyful tears go as she hugged her
daughter.
“As I said it
may not happen yet Mother,” Sandy said with a smile, “but it does seem a
lot of people think RCM are ready for the big time.”
“How the hell
could you keep that secret Jan?” Eleanor shook her head as she looked over the
table. “I’d have been bursting to tell everybody straight away.”
“I’ve known for
a couple of days,” Jan laughed, “and believe me it hasn’t been easy keeping
quiet.”
“I bet.”
“But we felt we
needed to talk to Lerrabella, also Shirley, Roy, and Augie, seeing they sponsor
the team, before we went public.”
“I can
understand that,” the former naval officer nodded.
“Papa also
wanted to tell our support team as well,” Jeanne spoke, “and to ask Toni if she
can drive as well.”
“She at least
has raced the 25 Hours before,” Jan looked serious, “I for one know we will
need her with us.”
“And she has
agreed?”
“She has indeed
– and Iain is allowing Denice time off if we go as well. So, another reason to party next week!”
"So
thinking of parties," Diana said as she sipped her coffee, "what are
the arrangements looking like for Mick and Nell's engagement party?"
"Olivia and I made an executive decision, and we decided to..." Kelly
started.
"Ask me to
do the arrangements," Nessa finished.
"I was so
snowed under with planning for Halloween,” Kelly said with a smile, “and
Olivia is gearing up for the new Nick Wu collection coming out, so we decided
to ask the best party planner we knew to do the work for us."
"Sounds
like a sensible arrangement to me," Diana gestured to the waiter for
another cup of coffee.
"I've been
talking with the young couple and I think we are going to give them the party
they want."
"That's
one of your great skills Mother," Sandy smiled. “So where and when?”
“The 3rd
– the night before we head to Santa Anita for the Breeder’s Cup. I’ll let you know the where in due course –
one or two things to sort out first.”
"I hope
one or two of you will take care of my husband while I'm away for a couple of
days," Gale said as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"You are going to be away Gale?"
"Yes, I
need to spend a couple of days in Omaha seeing the lawyers about my inheritance.
I'm going to be taking Allen with me, but that leaves Tom alone - and he's not
exactly great at looking after himself."
"Can I be
a fly on the wall when you say that in front of him?" Janice laughed
aloud. "Not exactly the image my boss wants the world to know about
him."
"Oh he
knows how bad he is, but I figure that with takeout menus and sympathetic
friends he can survive...just about."
"So what
do you need see your lawyers for anyway Gale?" Tonia asked.
“Well, we are
going to sell the ranch, and I need to look at the offers and make a
decision. We’re also setting up a trust
fund for Allen, and there are some documents to sign for that – and,
apparently, there is a safety deposit box that for some reason only I can
open. Could be interesting…”
2 pm
Xavier International
“Good
afternoon, Madame,” Caroline said as she and Susan came into the conference
room, Shirley sitting at the table. “I hope you have been updated with what
happened?”
“I have
indeed. Has the winding down operation
started yet Dominique?" Shirley asked.
"It has Madame,”
Caroline said as she looked at her tablet, “we are sorting out just what we are
going to do both with all the data and information that we obtained, and the
operational uses that perhaps we can put some of that information..."
"As well
as the people?"
"Just as you say Madame, what use we can make of the people we came
across, and what we learned about them."
"Good,"
Shirley allowed herself a smile, "our purposes though being sometimes to
what Commander Joyce will use that intelligence for when she returns to
Washington?"
"Yes she
will try bringing down a lot of these Russian criminal operations."
"While we
may want to acquire a few of them for ourselves."
"That is
what Susan and I have been talking about Madame."
“Excellent –
and Penelope?”
“She is seeing
Helen off with the Honoured Father today,” Susan said quietly, “and will be
back in London the day after tomorrow, until she is summoned.”
“Quite. She needs to be there for her, to be her
partner in this as well.”
5 pm PT
Oakland Hills
The Clark Apartment
“What are you
doing Dad?” Allison asked as she came into the kitchen to find her father
looking at a pile of papers.
“The part of my
job I hate since your sisters bought the shop darling…” Dave said without
looking up. “All this damn paper work.”
“Anything I can
do help with?”
“Not really,”
Dave sighed, “I need to stay on top of all this crap, if I’m not going to end
up driving Mary and Susie’s investment into debt.”
“Okay.” Allison looked at her father a sshe closed
the refrigerator door.
“I really enjoy
the actual work at the shop,” Dave said as he sat up and stretched, “and
business is good, but I never realized just how much of this stuff Gino used to
have to do.”
“I’ll leave you
to your homework and go do mine,” Allison smiled. “It’s not like I’m going out
anywhere soon.”
“You know very
well just why you are grounded young lady,” Dave looked up from what he was
reading.
“I know Pops –
it was just one late night…”
“You know the
rules – come back when we say to come back.
Especially with David away, you and Suzie need to pick up some of the
responsibility now.” Dave looked at her
as he said “and besides, bad enough you were late, but when I opened the
apartment door…”
The telephone
ringing interrupted his speech as he stood up, Allison whispering “saved by the
bell” as she went back to her room.
“Clark
residence.”
“Hey Dave it’s
Maddie, Is Mary there?”
“She didn’t get
back from her shoot yet Maddie, is this important?”
“Sort of…When
are you expecting her?”
“In the next
hour I guess,” Dave swapped the phone to his other ear, “can I get her to ring
you?”
“Please. I’ve
had an enquiry from the producers of one of the late night chat shows about
Mary appearing.”
“Maddie,” Dave
said with a sigh, “you know just how much my Poppit loves doing TV shows.”
“I know Dave.
But with that new Cadeau Aphrodite campaign just about to start they’d rather
appreciate her going on the shows and talking about it.”
“Well you can
ask, but don’t expect her to be happy about it.”
“Get her to
ring me when she gets home please.”
“Will do.”
“And how are
things going for you yourself?”
“I’m trying to
work on the books for the shop Maddie…For me this stuff aint easy.”
“I get that
Dave, do I need send Liz up to do them for you?” the Englishwoman laughed
lightly.
“I’d love the
help, but no I gotta master this stuff myself.”
“Fair enough,
but don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.”
“Gotcha –
thanks Maddie. Talk to you soon…”
8 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“Holly,” Sandy
said as she saw the petite blonde walk in, “Sands is out tonight?”
“I know – I
came to see you and Heather,” she said as she sat down. “I heard about – him. Is that threat dealt with now?”
“We think so,”
Heather said as she sat down, “we’ve certainly not heard anything else.”
“Thank
God… How the hell do I get out of all
this mess Sandy?” Holly played with the collar of the cashmere sweater she was
wearing. “I’m in love with two different people, and facing very serious prison
time if one of those loves ever becomes public knowledge.”
“I know it’s
not easy Holly, but at least you can rely on the friends who do know about you
and my daughter not deliberately revealing the secret.”
“I know no one
will do it deliberately,” Holly sighed, “it’s the possibility that someone does
it inadvertently that keeps me awake at nights.”
“Do your
parents still have no clue about you and Sands being lovers?”
“No Heather,”
Holly said as she sat back, “and at least I can be thankful for that small
mercy.”
“Why do they
think you spend so much time with my daughter then?”
“They think I’m
the victim of a teensy girl crush by Sands, that I’m just being very gentle in
letting her be my friend.”
“Possibly the
best thing – you’re not coming to California, are you?”
“I can’t – but
I’m coming to the party with Tommy next week.
I just hope she understands this time…”
“Don’t worry,
we’ll talk to her,” Sandy said kindly.
Thursday 27th October
1 PM GMT
Heathrow Airport
“So when does
our plane leave,” Miley said as she and Laura put their bags down in front of
the couch.
“We have an
hour or so – why?”
“Because we
need to…”
“Ah – that
way,” Aggie said with a smile as she pointed to some doors, the girls laughing
as they walked off. Shaking her head,
she sat down and looked at a magazine.
"Good
afternoon Agnes,” she heard someone say, “are you flying to New York as
well?"
"I am
Marianne," Aggie said with a smile as she stood up and let the South
African kiss her on the cheek. "Is John with you?"
"He is.
He's getting me a coffee and something to eat while we wait. Is Donald with
you?"
"No,”
Aggie said as she and Marianne sat down, “he's flying from Paris later this
afternoon. He had meetings to attend most of today."
"I
understand. Are the girls with you?"
"Yes, they
both needed to go to the loo, and then they wanted to go buy cokes, so they
left their poor Mother to watch their carry-on luggage."
"Honestly
children, what can you do with them?" Marianne laughed and smiled all at
once.
"I
know," Aggie laughed as well, "but truthfully I love them so much
that they can pretty much twist me round their little fingers."
"Who
can?" John Vosloo asked as he arrived carrying coffees for both himself
and his wife.
"My
daughters, they deserted me to go buy themselves something to drink."
"I'd have
brought you a coffee as well if I'd known you were here Aggie."
"It's not
a problem," Agnes smiled again as she saw her girls approaching carrying a
tray of drinks, "it looks like they remembered me anyway."
“Oh – you got
extra now Mum?”
“That’s all
right – you remember John and Marianne Vosloo, don’t you?”
“Oh yeah – so
you’re coming to the party as well,” Miley said as they sat down.
“We are indeed
– what will you be dressed as?”
“Not saying,”
Laura said with a smile.
“Do you think
Ama will be pleased to see us, Mum,” Uma said as she looked out of the window
at the boarding gate, wearing a blue sweatshirt and jeans.
“I know she
will be – and with this party, it should be an interesting long weekend,” Rhona
said with a smile. “What else would you
like to do while you are there?”
“Go to the
park, maybe see a show?”
“Well, we’ll
see what her mother can organise for us – excited?”
“Oh yes, Mum –
to see my sister and her friends again…”
“So how long
before we take off,” Miley said as she sat next to Agnes.
“Well, we
should move back soon, and then…”
"Hello Dr
Mc Adam," the man smiled as he spotted Agnes while she sat in her aisle
seat, "taking advantage of your visa I see?"
"I am Mr
McAdam," Aggie smiled, "and thank you for helping me get it."
"Well with
the decision to quash your conviction, the special dispensation became
unnecessary anyway."
"I guess
so," Aggie looked up at the American. "Can I introduce my daughters?
Girls this is Mr McAdam from the American Embassy in London, he's a clansman of
ours."
"I'm proud
of being a McAdam, and I've told a lot of people you will hopefully be coming
to our clan gathering next year."
"I would
not miss it for the world. Anyway this is Laura, and this is Amelia, though she
prefers to be called Miley."
"It's nice
to meet you."
"And
you," Laura held out a hand.
As he shook it,
Agnes said “so what takes you over?”
“Family
birthday – enjoy the flight…”
4 pm GMT
Lardarn House
"Well I'm
no wiser on the options regarding costumes for this party then I was before I
started making those phone calls," Tamsin said as she took a drink from
Tom and slumped into an armchair.
"Oh?"
Paula asked as her husband gave her a drink as well.
"Some of
our friends already own suitable costumes, others have rented costumes this
side of the pond, and others are waiting till they get to New York," Tam said
as she took a sip, "I'm no wiser regarding my options then I was
earlier."
"At least the girls are catered for," Paula laughed as she crossed
her legs, "I have to say it was a bright idea on Eve's part to raid the
costume locker for the drama club at Benenden, and to create outfits
there."
"An
extremely bright idea darling, I just wish my brain was working as
efficiently."
"So what
is Charlie wearing on his New York debut as a Saint Tam?" Tom sat down.
"He isn't
saying, and that is half my problem, if I knew what he was coming as then I
could try and find an outfit that co-ordinates."
"There is
an option you know Tippy. You could always ring Cassie and get her to
bring something with her from Hollywood you know." Paula smiled
"It's what she's doing for all of us."
"I may
just have to resort to that."
“Why not? Now relax – the girls and Aggie are in the
air now, and we’ll see them on Saturday…”
8 pm
The Village
"So how is
school going for Uma then Rhona?" Caroline said as she put the coffee tray
on the table and sat down.
"Well,”
the older woman said as she accepted the mug, “she didn't like the transition
from her primary school to her new school at first, but she's gradually
settling down."
"I remember that problem when I started secondary school," Caroline
started to pour the coffee. "You go from your little school where you knew
everyone, and everyone knew you, into a place where most of the faces are
strange, the work is harder, your friends are often not in the same class, and
you are just a faceless unimportant first year."
"Aye I remember
that myself," Rhona smiled as she took a sip from her mug. “It's not easy at first, but you gradually
adapt, and my Uma as I said she's getting there."
"I thought Ama would have more problems when she went to St Angela's, but
she'd already made friends with several of the other girls and she soon
found a niche for herself."
"She was
telling me how well her first training camp went with the Scottish girls
football squad earlier."
"Another
situation where I worried about her fitting in, but again she seems to have
found her feet very quickly," Caroline looked across the room to where her
daughter and Uma were playing with the babies, "she seems to have found a
couple of the girls on the team who have become friends already."
“Still, to fly
over and back on her own…”
“I know, but
she is growing up – are you all right over there Ama?”
“I am Mom,” Ama
said as she stood up, “but I think Mags needs to be changed. I’ll go and get the bag.”
Uma nodded as
she played with Rudi, until Ama came back and laid out the changing mat,
smiling at Mags as she started to remove the nappy.
"They are
both so beautiful," Uma smiled down at Mags as Ama changed her diaper.
"Most of
the time they are," Ama laughed as she wiped the baby girl’s bottom, and
fastened the clean diaper before she replaced the legs of her Babygro,
"though changing time sometimes can be a little ugly."
"I can see
that," the younger girl laughed as her sister disposed of the soiled
diaper.
"But I
enjoy babysitting them a lot. They are beautiful,
and to see such innocence is uplifting as well…"
"Do you
think you will become a mother one day sister?" the younger girl looked at
her sibling seriously.
"I hope
so," Ama paused to think, "I have a lot I want to do with my life
first, but yes one day I will probably become a mother."
"With Nick
as the father?" Uma laughed as she tickled Rudi.
"Oh that I
have no way of knowing," Ama smiled again, "but for now I love being
with him."
"That's
nice."
"So have
you seen any boys you like yet?" Ama said as she sat back against the
seat.
"No, boys
are so silly, all they can do is talk about football," Uma shook her head.
"Well I
like soccer too," Ama laughed.
“But you talk
of your friends and what you are doing as well – the boys all seem to think
their team is the most important and who will win the next game. I wonder sometimes if they are just
interested in that.”
“Well, I am
sure that is not true,” Ama said as she looked at her younger sister. “So you are looking forward to the party?”
“Oh yes – what
are you wearing?”
“I have
discussed that with some of the other girls – we are going as a group, but of
what you will have to wait and see…”
Friday 28th October
9 am
Stonehaven
Grace looked
out over the harbour, her brown coat fastened to keep out the chill of the wind
that blew in from the North Sea. One or
two small boats were making their way in between the two stone walls that
sheltered the main berths, while a pleasure cruiser was slowly making its way
out to sea.
“It’s a sight
to gladden the heart, isn’t it?”
Grace nodded
slowly as Mary Thomas came over and stood next to her. “Yeah – I forgot just how beautiful it can be
up here, so stark and yet so wondrous.”
“So, got over
the effect of the full Scottish breakfast yet?”
Grace smiled as
she said “so long as I forget what goes into a haggis…”
“No worse than
some sausages I used to eat…”
"I forgot
to ask Merlin,” Grace said as they turned and started to walk along Shorehead,
“did Fiona ever bring you here?"
"Ai, she did Grace, just like I took her home to Steelbridge a few
times."
"Don't
take this the wrong way Mary,” Grace said as they turned onto the High Street,
slowly walking past the shops, “but I've always found it hard to wrap my head
round the idea that two of the most important women in the whole international
scene, so at home in London, Paris, New York, etc, both came from small towns
basically in the back of beyond."
"Fiona and I often talked about that," Mary took a deep breath of the
salty air coming in off the North Sea, 'but I think that it was wanting to
escape the drabness of places like this that was what drove us both to go to
London and study fashion in the first place."
"And later?"
"I think,”
Mary said as they passed some shops, “we both came to appreciate that wherever
we wandered there was really no place quite like home, and we both became
determined to stay in touch with our roots."
"I can appreciate that," Grace looked thoughtful, "I see Melford
today in a very different way to how I once did.'
"I got
that from how you have been talking Grace," Mary pulled her coat a little
tighter in the chill breeze, "when I knew she wanted to be buried here it
didn't really surprise me...Fiona always did say that one day she was going to
come home."
"Well,”
Grace said as they turned up and walked along Bridgefield, crossing the Carron
as they did so, “we know now we can give her the sort of funeral she
wanted."
"Ai we can, simple with very little fuss."
"She'd
like that,” Grace said as they walked along, “but she'd hate the memorial
service idea."
"She
would," Mary smiled, "but as I was telling the dean of St Paul's this
funeral is for Fiona, that service is really for her friends so they can
mourn."
"I guess
so," Mary said as they walked up to where a drive led to a tall pale
sandstone building, the brown doors facing them and the building stretching out
to each side with large arched windows.
“So this is the
place?”
“Ai, Fetteresso,
her childhood church. Shall we?”
The two women
walked into the main door, and entered the chapel, as a man wearing a clerical
collar came out from a side door.
“Can I help you
ladies?”
“I hope so –
we’re looking for Dr Fyfe Blair,” Grace said as Mary looked round.
“Well, you have
found him – you must be Grace Gresham and Mary Thomas.”
“Ai,” Mary said
quietly as she walked over.
“Well, let’s go
and get some coffee, and we can talk about Fiona…”
He indicated
the side door he had come out of, Grace and Mary following him as they moved
through a small office, and into a kitchen.
“I hope Gold Blend is acceptable – the stipend of a church minister does
not go too far,” he said with a smile as he found three cups.
“I can
imagine,” Mary said as they sat at a table, watching as he made three cups of
coffee and brought them over.
“So,” Dr Blair
said as he sat down, “first, may I add my own condolences to those I am sure
you have already received. I saw a
report on her on Reporting Scotland when her death was announced – then I asked
some of the older ladies of the church, and they told me how they remembered
her in the Sunday School when she came here with her parents.”
“She often
spoke of growing up here,” Mary said as she sipped her coffee, “and I know it
was a big influence on her work ethic.”
As he nodded,
he said “well, I have checked our records, and talked to the solicitor in
London. We have set the date for her
funeral for the 10th of November – 11 am here, then 12.30 at the crematorium.”
“That fits well
with the plans for the memorial service,” Grace said, “the Dean of St Pauls has
suggested the next day at 2.”
“It would help
if I knew who is likely to come,” the minister said as he looked at the two
women.
“Well – I think
it is those who were closest to her who will be here,” Grace said as she looked
in a small notebook. “I know her fellow
editors, Anna Mitchell, Pippa Ashley and a couple of others, as well as myself,
will attend – and Mary of course.”
“I know a
couple of other names – two young ladies who Fiona was a real inspiration for,
Jeannie Brewster and Kylie Mitchell, are both coming with their families, as is
Juliette von Furstenheim.”
As he nodded,
Grace said “I would imagine the Marquis and Marchioness of Ordford will come –
as may Lord Archibald and Lady Victoria Gordon.
Linda Evangelista, of course – and Caroline Jameson. Her daughter has a soccer camp that week
again.”
“So the local
police may be useful?”
“There will not
be that many,” Grace said, “what about her family?”
“She still has
some cousins – I’ll inform them as well, let them know the arrangements. We have had one request from the local
council however – they wish for the coffin to be driven through the streets, to
mark the passing of one of their most famous daughters.”
Mary looked at
Grace and nodded as she said “Ai that would be fine. So, the practical arrangements?”
“You need to
talk to the funeral director up here before you leave today – he needs to know
what songs you wish to have sung, what to put into the leaflet – and who, if
anyone, will speak or read.”
“Fiona left
some instructions on hymns – as to who will do a reading, she has also made a
request. I’ll give the name to the director,
but I need to tell her this weekend…”
3.30 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“Hey Agnes,”
Heather said as she opened the door, “come away in. I was about to start making some coffee for
the usual gathering.”
“Thank you for
watching the girls while I had my meetings with the Torware executives,” Agnes
said as she took off her great coat, revealing her grey jacket and skirt and
white blouse, “and Donald had his meetings with the people at the UN.”
“Not a problem
Agnes,” Heather said as she put the coffee maker on, “though I’ve barely seen
Miley.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, she’s
spent most of the day watching my Lover preparing the drawings of a room she’s
seeking to design for a prospective customer.”
“Aunt Sandy was
showing me how she does her art, and about things like perspective,” Miley
smiled broadly as she came into the kitchen, “it was really interesting.”
“Well as long
as you didn’t get in Sandy’s way while she was working.”
“She didn’t
Agnes,” Sandy said as she came in holding a couple of empty coffee mugs, “it
was fun explaining how I draw and paint, and it’s lovely she’s interested in
such things.”
“She’s VERY
interested,” Aggie laughed gently.
“Yep.” Miley
smiled again. “Art is definitely my
favourite subject.”
“So did you find
anything to do darling?” Agnes looked at Laura as she walked in and sat at the
kitchen bar, looking at a book as she put down a mug of coffee.
“Heather let me
have a look in the library,” Laura said as she looked up, “just so many books
I’d like to read Mum.”
“It sounds like
you both had a great day then, each of you doing something you enjoy.”
“How were your
meetings Agnes?” Heather asked as she passed her her own mug of coffee.
“We are getting
down to the nitty-gritty of things like transportation costs if they go with
the sites I’ve proposed for the new factories. It’s starting to get very
technical as they try make the figures work to the company’s best advantage.”
“Where you earn
your fees, and them their salaries,” a voice said from the door into the
kitchen.
“Exactly,”
Agnes smiled and turned round to talk to the newcomer, “and as astute a
businesswoman as you are Vanessa, I know you understand just what I’m talking
about.”
“Unfortunately
I do,” Nessa took off her coat, “so when are you expecting your usual Friday
afternoon group Heather darling?”
“Any minute
now,” Heather glanced at her watch just as girlish voices were heard outside
the kitchen back door.
“Oh yes – the
legendary coffee clutch. Are we going to
gatecrash?”
“Almost
certainly,” Heather said as Sands and Katy came in. “Oh ho – visitors,” Kary said with a
smile. “Hey Miley – want to join us?”
“Okay then,”
Miley said as she followed them out of the room.
“Hey Aggie –
busy day,” Caroline said as she came in the back door.
“Very much so,
but now I get to wind down for the weekend – You?”
“Just winding
down a work project - I hope you don't mind Heather, but I gave Rhona your
address and told her to bring Uma and come join us," Caroline gratefully
took a mug of coffee.
"Not a problem. What were they
doing today?"
“Visiting the
Metropolitan.”
“So why come
here – apart from the chance to meet up together?”
"Well I know Ama wants to introduce her again to the girls so Uma can get
to know her friends a little, and Rhona has said she'd like to have a talk with
some of us about costumes."
"As I said
it isn't a problem Caroline, though I might need a bigger coffee maker for so
many visitors."
“That is a hint
in my direction," Sandy laughed, "Heather spotted this monster
machine in Macy's and wants me to buy it."
"Is it like the one that Juliette has up at Stowe?" April asked as
she took off her sweater.
"Similar,"
Heather turned round as she started a fresh pot to brew.
“Might be a
wise investment,” April said with a smile as Sandy went to answer the front
door. “Welcome – come on through,” they
heard her say before Rhona and Uma came in one way, and George came in the
kitchen door.
“Hey Mom – and
this is?”
“My sister
Uma,” Ama said as she came into the kitchen.
“Come with me, and meet some of the other girls again.”
As Uma went
out, George said “Okay – where’s Katy?”
“Upstairs with
your sister and my sister,” Laura said without looking up.
“Okay – time to
get assignments done,” George said as he loosened his tie and headed out of the
kitchen, Barbara passing him as he said “overwhelmed?”
“A bit –
coffee?”
“Oh yes – I’m
working this weekend and I need the downtime.”
“You don’t
normally work weekends,” Heather said as she passed the mug over.
“Well, I have
next week as vacay, so I said I’d do this as well. My sister is coming into town, and coming to
the party as well.”
“Vacay? Barbara, are you going native on us?”
“Oh god – I am,
aren’t I,” she laughed as Jan came in with Eva Eckholm.
“Welcome Eva –
Mel just came in with the other girls, if you want to see her?”
“Time for that
later – Andy is resting at the hotel, and I hear the coffee here is amazing.”
“It is,” Elaine
Colman said as she came in. “So –
costumes?”
"Can I ask
a favour of you Jeannie?" Uma asked shyly as she sat next to the model.
"If it
doesn't involve me having to run anywhere," Jeans grinned at the African
girl.
"No it
doesn't," Uma took a breath, "you were kind and signed my book at the
school fete, but would you do some autographs for two of my friends at school
please?"
"Sure...That
I can do easily, just let me..."
"Would you
like our autographs as well?" Doc and Nikki interrupted, "we are both
models as well you know?"
"Yes, but
you aren't famous like Jeannie..."
"Oh that
put them in their place," Ama laughed as she hugged her little sister.
"I'm not
quite sure how insulted I feel," Nikki started to laugh as well.
"I did not
mean to insult you?" Uma looked confused.
"Don't
worry Uma, their egos could do with deflating," Ama laughed some more.
"Where do
you want me to sign my name Uma?" Jeannie smiled at her two friends
discomfort, 'and yes I agree with you, they really are nobodies."
"Oh those
is fighting words Brewster," Doc started to laugh again.
“Oh lovely –
the oldies are here.”
“Har de har,
Poppy Ashley – How come you are late anyway?”
“Blame me,”
Erica said with a smile, “I had to pick up something for Mom first. Is she here yet?”
“Not yet,”
Heather said as she looked in. “Do you girls
mind if Laura joins you for a few minutes?”
“Sure – come
away in, you can spill the beans on what the others are wearing,” Nikki
said. “Is it true your Mom and others
are coming as the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen?”
“Could be…”
"So the
theme of the party is Heroes and Villains?"
"It is
Rhona," Elaine Colman said with a smile as she sipped her coffee,
"and you'd think with such a broad range of options in that theme, finding
myself a costume I like would be easier than its turning out to be."
"And
that's even before considering what we are going to persuade our husbands to
dress as," April rolled her eyes.
"My
husband wanted to come in his police uniform," Eva spoke.
"Well the
police they are heroes," Barbara took a cookie from the plate.
"But it's
just a trifle boring when he wears it every day," Eva also took a cookie,
"and for our first Sinnerz Halloween party I want to wear a FUN
costume."
"So what have you talked him into Eva?"
"Oh I have
a couple of ideas," the librarian laughed to herself.
“And will he do
it?”
“He may not
have a choice in this matter…”
"So has
House squared it with his coaches that he can fly home for Halloween
Jeans?"
"He has
Becca, and he's hired himself a Darth Vader costume, and as I planned I'll be
going as Padme."
"Do you
all have boyfriends who are coming to the party?" Uma asked.
"Most of
us do," Doc smiled, "Though my 'partner' has not exactly been
forthcoming on who she is bringing...Have you Niks?"
"As I
said, just wait until the party." Nikki smiled.
"Will
there be others like me there?" Uma spoke again.
"Like you
how sister?" Ama answered.
"Girls
without boys."
"Oh like
that," Ama laughed, "yes there will be several girls without
boyfriends there."
“You can join
me in that, Uma,” Mel said with a smile, “stand together, eh?”
"Is Dan
coming to the party Caroline?" Heather asked as she started topping up
coffee mugs.
"He
is."
"What
costume have you got him to wear?"
"Actually,”
Caroline said with a smile, “he came up with the idea."
"Oh?" Heather looked at her friend quizzically.
"He's a
sucker for old westerns so he's had a few words with a few of our friends and
we are coming as Wild West bandits, with him as Jesse James, and me as Belle
Starr."
"Caroline
as a lady bandit? I think I can see that," Mercy Kinman eased herself up
onto a bar stool.
"What are
you and Letty wearing Mercy?" Barbara asked.
“Oh we’re
continuing a theme from last year,” Marcy said with a smile, “we’re coming as
Burke and Hare…”
“Well, I’m
stumped. Will Mary Thomas maybe ring her
friend the theatrical costumier to let us go raid her store?" Emma
Carlton asked.
"Well she's in Scotland seeing to Fiona's funeral arrangements, but I
guess if I ask Ju she can ring her and ask," Sandy considered the problem.
"I'm sure she will try and help though."
"Well help
is what I definitely need."
"So are
you settling in alright in our old offices Caroline?" Nessa asked as she leaned
by the breakfast bar.
"We are starting to feel at home Nessa," the tall blonde smiled,
"by the time I go to Iceland to start filming I'm hoping everything will
be running totally smoothly."
"I have to
compliment you on the fact that you are doing so well building your security
business, all while also pursuing your modelling career."
"Well I
have some excellent staff who do most of the hard work," Caroline blushed.
"Nonsense,
I know just how hard you work, and I saw how full your case looked of work you
are taking home for the weekend."
"It's
stuff I need to get done, normally I try not to bring work home, but on this
occasion...."
"I
understand," Nessa smiled knowingly.
“So Ama will be
spending tomorrow with Uma and Rhona while I get on with this…”
"So will
there be a big European contingent over for Halloween Laura?" Doc asked.
"It looks like it from what I hear.
Kit – well, I guess I should say Aunt Tamsin and Cousin Kit are coming
tomorrow with the Gaunts from Ireland, and Dad’s family fly later on with the
Treharrans as well."
"Good thing then that the Rochermann's have all that space."
"It still
might get crowded though," Becca said as she sat down.
"The group gets much larger and this might be the last year the party can
be held in a private home, next year maybe it will need be held in a
hotel."
"There are
that many people Doc?" Laura looked a little amazed.
"It's
getting that way...We might have to borrow your family place, I heard you have
big parties there?"
"We do
have quite a bit of room," Laura smiled as she thought how strange how few
weeks ago it would have been unthinkable to think of the New House as her
family home.
“Nah – Nessa
would open Curragh Park up instead.”
“There is
that,” Ama said as she sat with Uma.
“What is
Curragh Park?”
“The little
country home of the Richmond family – it has a fair amount of space…”
7 pm
The Rochermann Apartment
“That was
Mick,” Nell said as she came into the drawing room, “he’s going to… Ally, is Mom all right?”
“Yeah,” Ally
said as Kelly sat with her, wringing her hands as she looked round, “just a
patented pre-party panic moment…”
"Just
seeing how full Sandy's place got this afternoon made me think - do we really
have the space to host the party here darlings?" Kelly asked her
daughters.
"Mom don't panic," Nell tried to reassure her Mother, "this will
all turn out brilliantly."
"I wish I
had your confidence," Kelly whispered as she picked up some sheets of
paper, and cast her eyes down the list of expected guests.
"Did you warn the caterers that we will have more people here then you
originally thought?"
"I did
Ally, and they said it shouldn't be a problem."
"Well
that's good at least..."
"But they
used the word 'shouldn't'...Not 'definitely' won't be a problem," Kelly
interrupted.
"It will
be fine Mom."
“Look, you go
and have a lie down,” Ally said as she helped her mother to stand up, “you’ll
feel much better in the morning…”
The Morse Townhouse
“So Thomas will
join us later,” Yvonne Leventhal said as she walked into the kitchen with
Claire Morse.
“Indeed – Bobbi
darling, is Simon settling in?”
“He is,
but… Mom I think there is something I
maybe need tell you and Yvonne." Bobbi played with her hands as she spoke
nervously.
"And what's that dear?" Claire asked as she and Yvonne worked
together preparing the customary Friday night meal.
"Nothing
serious I hope?" Yvonne asked.
"Not if
you think you both becoming grandmothers isn't serious?" Despite her nerves Bobbi managed a little
smile as she stood there.
"Oh maybe
one day," Claire smiled, "but that's a long way off yet."
"Yes we
know you and Simon have sex, but you are safely on the pill," the English
lady didn't even look up from what she was doing.
"Well
about that..." Bobbi hesitated.
"About
what darling?"
"About me
being on birth control,” Bobbi said as she took a deep breath, “I sort of forgot
to take my pills with me to Europe in the summer."
"That was
careless of you Bobs, you really need to take them..." Suddenly, as she
stood there, Claire registered where the conversation was going. She put the knife she was using to cut the
chicken with down, turned round and looked at her older daughter. "Are you saying?"
"Saying what?" Yvonne looked confused as she turned round as well.
"Yes," Roberta looked down at her feet, “I went and saw Dr Boyd in
Boston yesterday, and she confirmed it.”
"Confirmed what?" Yvonne still looked confused as Claire slowly
walked forward, and hugged her daughter as they both started to cry. "Will someone please… Oh my God!" The
penny dropped as Yvonne shouted out “You're PREGNANT?"
“About eight
weeks. Mom, Yvonne, I know this is not
exactly what you wanted to hear, but…”
Yvonne wiped
her hands, and walked forward, hugging them both as she said “shut up – I’m
going to be a Grandmother. I… Dear Jahweh, what is Colin going to say?”
“Colin? What is Tom going to say! Who else knows?”
“Well – apart
from Simon – at the moment, both of you.
But – Mom, he’s going to talk to Dad when he gets back.”
“How… How is Simon?”
“In a little
bit of shock, truth be told – but he wants to do the right thing, and I want to
keep this baby, so if you…”
“No,” Claire
said quietly, “that thought never crossed my mind, but with the election coming
up…”
“I know – and
we do need to talk to Dad about that.
Simon and I are both due to finish our degrees at the same time, but we need
to discuss how we get through the next eighteen months.”
“We need to
discuss how we get through the next seven months,” Claire said as she looked at
her daughter. “Look – the election is
about two weeks away. Let Simon talk to
your father – then, when we have eaten, we can discuss how to manage this. But…
Oh Father, I never thought I would be next after Ju…”
“How do you
feel,” Yvonne said as she looked at Bobbi.
“A little
scared, but thanks for asking.”
"I think
we need keep this a family secret for a few weeks," Claire said as she wiped
her hands, "you haven't told any of your friends have you darling?"
"No, I
sort of thought I ought tell you guys first."
"Have you
told your sister?"
"No,"
Bobbi smiled as she shook her head, "I'm not sure Becca can keep
secrets."
"She must be told, and soon..."
"And so
must my mother-in-law," Yvonne smiled. "she is going to be so
thrilled that she's going to become a great grandmother."
"You guys
are being so great," Bobbi smiled, "I thought you'd maybe freak out
at the news."
"Bobbi
darling, it's a bit of a shock,” Claire said quietly, “but I think we could all
see that you and Simon are perfect for each other, and yes baby before marriage
isn't what people expect, but we can all live with that."
"We
certainly can," Yvonne said as she hugged the younger woman. “Come on – help us prepare the meal and then
we can talk things over.”
7.30 pm
The Astoria Waldorf
“I had no idea
you would be in New York as well,” Marianne said as she sat in the hotel bar,
looking at the tall brunette in the seat opposite. “Peter just sprung it on you?”
“He did
indeed,” the other woman said as she took a sip of her wine, “so what brings
you and John over here anyway?”
“Believe it or
not, a party and a day at the races – now that he has retired, we get to relax
a lot more. In fact – well, there’s my
other dinner guest for tonight.
FRANCESCA!”
The brunette
turned her head and smiled as Marianne waved to the blonde who had just walked
into the lobby. As she walked closer,
she tried not to chow her recognition as the new arrival said “Marianne,
darling,” kissing her on both cheeks – and then looking at the third person
there.
“How is
Charlotte and the family?”
“She’s resting
tonight – and John has a meeting, so this is a female friends night – on which
subject, Francesca di Cambrello meet Alexandra Green-Hope...Alex meet
Francesca."
"Delighted,"
the woman said as she smiled and stood up.
Francesca looked at both of them, Marianne in her blue coat dress and
heels, the other woman in a trouser suit made from linen and a grey camisole
top.
"I'm not sure if you two ever met, but Alex rides at the club as
well," Marianne smiled as well as she motioned for Francesca to join her
and the tall brunette.
"We may
have, A lot of the people I met in Pretoria I've forgotten over the
years," Francesca struggled to control her body from shaking as she sat at
the table.
"Yes, that is understandable - twenty five years is a long time," the
woman spoke with that hybrid South African/English accent that girls learned at
boarding school.
“Three more
glasses of wine please,” Marianne said to a passing waiter. "Can you two chart while I have a
pee?"
"We can try Marianne," Alex said as she looked at Francesca.
"Yes we can try darling." Francesca answered as well.
"Oh good,
I won’t be long," Marianne said with a smile as she headed towards the
powder room. The two women looked at
each other, before the waiter put three more glasses of wine on the table,
Francesca picking one up and taking a drink.
As she set it
down again, she leaned forward and whispered "It's been a long time
Mouse."
"So it has
Bruin," Alex whispered back, their voices barely audible. “I have to admit, I should have realised
Marianne would have called you – how is the new granddaughter?”
“A real
beauty,” Francesca said with a smile.
“I’m glad you
and your daughter are fully united now – it was a magnificent wedding.”
“You were not
there?”
“No – but I
watched the coverage, and I read the reports.”
Nodding,
Francesca whispered “So are you here for work Alex?"
"No,” Alex said with a smile, “my husband sprung this trip to New York on
me as an anniversary present."
"That was
nice. Very nice…"
"I heard
through the grapevine you'd retired Francesca."
"They let
me go yes, but I've had a few things to do even though I'm out of the game
officially."
"So I heard. Some very interesting
things coming out of the London and Washington bureaus,” Alex said with a smile.
"Deputy Assistant Controller at SACIC I'm told?"
"Yes I
am...they never did work out that I was one of your people."
"I never
told anything,” Francesca whispered, “and I destroyed the last evidence linking
us when I got to empty out my old bureau while in Monaco...Your identity is
safe Alex."
“I know Hennie
is still determined after all these years to unmask the traitor."
"He tried
to put pressure on me to give you up when I first retired," Francesca
nodded.
"And John
I think would still love to know."
"Yes he
would," Francesca looked round, "Marianne is coming back."
“So what were
you talking about,” Marianne said as she sat back down.
“Being a
grandmother, and rediscovering the life of an advocate,” Francesca said with a
smile. “So, where shall we eat tonight?”
“Well, here is
fine,” Alex said as they stood up, and made their way to the restaurant. “Talking of riding, as we were, how is the
ranch coming along Marianne?”
“The horses are
settled, and the group we’ve employed have really got to grips with the task of
looking after them,” Marianne said with a smile as the maitre d’ showed them to
a table.
“Well, given
John’s retirement now, it does give you something to focus on,” Alex said as
they sat down. “No interest in taking up
riding, Francesca?”
“Oh no – I’m a
sailor, not a horse person,” Francesca said with a laugh, “and I’m looking
forward to finally getting to try my new boat out in a couple of weeks.”
“Oh yes, you
mentioned that – you would have been there before now, if you hadn’t been kept
out here.”
“True, but now
my work here is done, I can finally go and sail it,” Francesca said as she
perused the menu. “I’ll have the turbot
please.”
“Steak,”
Marianne said, and as Alex ordered the linguini and wine was selected, Alex
said “so do you have any pictures of your granddaughter, Francesca?”
As she smiled
and showed Alex the photos, Marianne said “will they be coming to the Breeders’
Cup meet?”
“I believe so,
and the Halloween party.”
“Oh yes,” Alex
said with a smile, “the Saints and Sinners.
I read about them in Cosmopolitan.
Quite an eclectic group by all accounts…”
As they ate
their meal they made small talk about riding, but while she kept up her end of
the conversation perfectly, Francesca was in fact thinking about how she had
first met Alex.
It had been
while she was still a first year midshipman at Livorno and Alexandra Green had
been an officer cadet from the South African Naval College on secondment to
study in Livorno. They had barely known
each other, but Francesca knew now that it was while she was at Livorno that
Alex had made contact with La Citadella to offer her services to Italian
intelligence, and that she had been recruited, given the codename Mouse, and
sent home eventually to await activation.
“Now I know
where we met before,” Alex said with a smile, “the Naval Academy.”
“I didn’t know
you had been to Italy,” Marianne said as Francesca shook her head.
“It was a
secondment – you were a couple of years behind me, if I remember rightly.”
“Oh yes – I
remember now….”
When Francesca
had been sent to Pretoria to take over the intelligence station she had been
given the names of a couple of sleeper agents and the means of contacting them
clandestinely. That Alex by then was serving as a junior officer in the
Combined Intelligence Command, was a boon to Francesca as she set up her
networks and activated them.
“So what
exactly does John do for Xavier International?”
“He is their
African director, with responsibility for their projects,” Marianne said, “and
he also oversees some of Francesca and Charlotte’s projects?”
“Your
projects,” Alex said with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
“Indeed – Charlotte
heads up a group which finances small businesses for women in Africa. Both John and I sit on the board of
governors, along with Dr Agnes McAdam.”
“Now there’s
another person I would like to meet,” Alex said as she sipped her wine, “a
fascinating mind.”
“Well, she’s
staying in the hotel with her family, so you may get the chance…”
As the plates
were cleared, Francesca’s mind went back to those days in Pretoria. Over the years that Francesca had operated in
there, the intelligence provided by ‘Mouse’ had probably been of more value to
her masters then almost anything her other agents had supplied, and Francesca
had duly prized her as an asset.
In the years
since her expulsion Francesca had kept almost as close, and protective, eye
on Alexandra Green as she had on her own daughter, desperate to ensure
that her prize agent never met the fate that had befallen poor Giancarlo Pietri
the agent she had been caught paying off, and who had been executed for
treason.
No – luckily,
the Mouse went into hibernation when she had been expelled, and though the
South Africans knew that she had had an agent inside the SACIC, she had never
thankfully been exposed. And now she was
in a position of authority – Francesca silently thanking God she was not in the
service any more…
“Girls I have
to answer the call of nature again,” Marianne said quietly as she stood up and
headed towards the toilets.
“So what does
your husband do Alex?” Francesca asked very quietly as the waiter served
coffee.
“He’s a civil servant.”
“Oh? What kind
of civil servant?”
“Rather like a
few of your friends are Francesca,” a smile crossed the Mouse’s face, “he sits
on the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee.” Alex smiled again as she
said “and I won’t insult you by assuming that you have no clue what NICOC is.”
“Your
equivalent of my country’s Comitato interministeriale per la sicurezza Della
Repubblica?”
“Yes, very
similar to your CISR.”
“So he’s not
only your husband, but also in many ways one of your bosses?”
“You might say
that.” Taking a sip from her coffee,
Alex said “my turn. I heard rumblings
from a number of places of something going down here in New York with our
friends from Moscow – and that your and your daughter got caught up in it. Any truth to that?”
“I’m retired,”
Francesca said with a smile.
“Yes, yes you
are – and yet the rumours suggested while certain official parties knew, it was
another group doing the work. A group
who may have had something to do with events in Mazengewe, Mologa and recently
in Zim. A group which, if the rumours
are correct, would have approached you as soon as you had retired.”
“No comment,”
Francesca said as she looked at her old contact.
“Alright what
were you talking about while I was gone?” Marianne asked as she sat down again.
“Alex was
telling me about her husband.”
“Did you ever
meet Peter Hope Francesca? He was working in the Foreign Ministry back then.”
“I might have
done Mari, to be honest I met so many people back then I have no clue who I did
and didn’t meet.”
"I think
if Francesca and I both talk to our friends we can get both you and Peter
invites to the Halloween party, and to come to the races in California if you
want?"
"Well I
must admit it would be something to tell everybody back home, that I went to a
couple of things like that..."
"Ask Peter
then Alex," Marianne smiled, "and by the way my friend told you a
little half truth earlier, yes she loves sailing, but Francesca also rides very
well really, and she has more than just a casual interest in racing."
"You asked if I was interested in taking up riding," Francesca
smiled.
"Alright I
phrased it badly," Alex laughed, "I should have said do you ride a
lot, or something similar?"
"Exactly,"
Francesca laughed as well. "But changing the subject, yes if you can talk
him into it please come to the Sinners things, I know you'll be welcome."
9 pm
The Morse Apartment
“There you
are,” Claire said as Tom appeared, “what happened?”
“Flight delay –
Yvonne, Colin, forgive me for not joining you for dinner.”
“These things
happen,” Sir Colin Leventhal said as Simon stood up. “Mister Morse,” he said quietly, “I wonder if
I could have a word with you – in private.”
Tom raised an
eyebrow, and said “of course – is there any food left?”
“I’ll go and
get it for you,” Claire said as Tom and Simon left the room, Bobbi watching as
Yvonne put her hand on hers.
“He’s going
about it the right way – be brave,” she said with a smile as Simon and To
talked outside, Tom standing there and then shaking his hand.
“Did you know,”
Tom said to Colin when he came back in.
“Of what Simon
wanted to do? Yes. Why today?
No.”
“Well,” Bobbi
said quietly, “there was a reason for that, Dad. You’d better sit down.”
“Okay – not
that I object to the proposal, I’m more than happy to give me blessing,
but…” Tom looked at Bobbi, then at
Yvonne and at Claire as she came in with a lap tray. For a moment, there was silence, and then Tom
said “you’re pregnant?”
As Bobbi
nodded, Tom stood up and walked over to his oldest daughter. “I’m going to be a grandfather?”
“You’re… You’re not upset?”
“Of course not
– but who else outside this room knows?”
“Nobody – apart
from Karen Boyd. Why?”
“Well, let’s
not say anything about anything until after this election is over. Got that, Rebecca?”
“How did you
know I was listening,” Becca said as she came in.
“Instinct – but
not a word to anyone, all right?”
“Sure – but I’m
gonna be an aunt? For real?”
“I guess so,
trouble,” Bobbi said with a smile, “when others know, you can get some practice
in babysitting with Ama…”
Saturday 29th October
8.30 am
The Astoria Waldorf
"So how
did dinner with Marianne's old friend go last night?" Peter Hope asked as
he sat down for breakfast with his wife and the Vosloo's.
"Very well darling, how did your little side 'business' trip to Washington
go?" Alex asked as she sipped her orange juice.
"I got it
done, and that's the main thing," the bearded man smiled, "but
catching that first flight back to New York so I could be here in time for
breakfast was not fun."
"Well at least you are here darling, and for the rest of our trip you get
to relax."
"Yes I do." Peter reached over
and kissed his wife as John smiled.
"And talking of relaxing," Marianne said as she put her phone down, “Kelly
Rochermann says you are both more than welcome to come to her Halloween party,
and I'm equally sure I can arrange transport to the Breeders Cup."
“And this party
is a costume one?”
“Indeed” John
said, “the theme is Heroes and Villains, so put your thinking caps on.”
“And what do
you two have in mind,” Alex said with a smile.
“No comment,” Marianne said with her light laugh.
"So what
else did you talk about last night?"
"Husbands,
Francesca's granddaughter, horses...usual female gossip," Alex smiled.
"Oh and
Alex remembered she'd met Francesca years ago at the Italian Naval
Academy," Marianne said as she signalled the waiter they were ready to
order.
Peter raised an
eyebrow as Alex said “you know I spent a year there, darling.”
“I know – it
was a long time ago though… So I hear
she is back in practice as an advocate?”
“Well, she
works with Sigrid Mannschen, providing advice and counsel,” Marianne said as
she ordered her meal. “And her base is
in London mainly.”
1 pm
JFK Airport
"Well here
we are again," Paula Gaunt smiled as she pushed her luggage trolley
through the airport.
"New York,
New York, so good they named it twice," Aileen laughed as she sang the
words.
"I want to
see EVERYTHING," Clodagh declared as she held her sister’s hand. Like her she was wearing a jacket over her
jumper and jeans. "I didn’t get to see much last time, and I want to be
able to boast at school about all the things I saw, and did."
"Well to see everything you'd need a life time darling," Eve Stone said
with a smile as she put an arm round her young niece. "I've been coming
here for over 50 years, and I've barely scratched the surface."
"And since the school wants us back, we have to fly home far too
soon," the younger Eve laughed as well.
"Ugggh
don't remind me," Aileen spoke, "all this damn prep to do while we
are here."
"It was
the only way I could talk the school into letting you all come darling,"
Paula said as she handed the form to the Customs officer, and they all walked
into the arrivals lounge. She started
looking round for the limousine driver that Tom had engaged for the length of
their stay, as she continued "that you brought schoolwork with you to
do."
"And we
made the same promise," Cat looked at Tamsin who nodded in agreement.
"We
know," Kit and Liz spoke in unison and rolled eyes, making clear their
ideas about the arrangements.
"Well now you are here girls, let an old man advise you - just relax and
enjoy yourself darlings," Stephen Stone had a twinkle in his eye as he
spoke.
“Quite right,”
John Gaunt said as he held Kit’s hand.
“It’s al right
for you, mister Oxford Undergraduate,” Eve said as she stuck her tongue out and
looked round.
"Ah there
he is," Tom spotted a black man holding up a sign with Duke of Lardarn on
it.
“Welcome, your
Grace,” the driver said as they walked over, “come this way please…”
"I hope you and your family enjoy your visit Mrs Babbage," the guy on
the Immigration desk smiled as he handed Sherry back her passport.
"Oh we
intend to," Sherry smiled back as she made her way through with her
younger children.
"So are we all here?" Ray Cornwall asked as he counted heads.
"Five
Babbage's, Four Cornwall's, I think that's us all," Kay laughed lightly.
"All of us
in New York together," Mike also laughed, "and Agnes and Donald
already here, are the Americans going to regret us all being here at the same
time? Do you all remember that trip we
took to Amsterdam when we were students?"
"Oh yes I
do," Ray rolled his eyes.
"Anything
that you care to share with your children?" Alice grinned at her elders.
"NO!"
“We were young,
carefree, and slightly stupid,” Sherry said as they made their way through to
the luggage claim.
“This is even bigger
than London,” Edwina Treharran said as she stood with her family, waiting for
their cases to come through.
“We’re not
going to have to eat hot dogs all the time, are we,” Charlie Treharran said as
he looked round, “and do all the policemen carry guns?”
“No, and yes in
that order,” Mike said as he and his father started to load cases onto two
trolleys. “For now, we get our stuff, we
get to the hotel, and we relax for a couple of hours.”
“Easy for you
to say,” Fi said as she looked at her phone, “Missy wants us to meet the new
comptroller at Norstar tomorrow.”
“Are we all
going to be here,” Olivia asked.
“Nope – West
Coast are flying in tomorrow night, but I guess Missy is just sharing out the
love…”
1 pm
Park Avenue
“So I hear that
you are settling into your new school, Uma,” Maisha said as they sat in the
kitchen of the apartment, the remains of the lunch on the plates in front of
the three girls.
“I am, although
it was very strange at first,” Uma said with a smile. “I am learning new things every day, and
making some new friends as well.”
“But no
boyfriend yet,” Ama said with a smile as she sipped her fruit juice.
“No, no
boyfriend yet,” Uma smiled shyly as Rhona came into the kitchen with John.
“Well, I have
some good news,” Rhona said with a smile, “John has managed to get some tickets
for the matinee of Aladdin this afternoon, if you are interested?”
“Oh yes,” Uma
said with a smile, “I think I would enjoy that, won’t you Ama?”
“Well, I have
tickets for all four of you to go,” John said with a smile, “I need to go to
Complete Style for a meeting…”
3 pm
Complete Style
“John – come
in,” Juliette said as she sat in the confernec room with Anna and Pippa, “we’re
glad you could come today.”
“My pleasure –
is this to do with Annie?”
“I hope so,”
Anna said as Alexis looked in. “They’re
here,” she said as she opened the door, Grace coming in as the door closed
behind her.
“Where’s Mary,”
Anna asked quietly.
“She had to go
to the Cave to take care of something,” Grace said as she sat down and rubbed
her eyes. “Remind me never to have a
week like that again unless I have to.”
“We appreciate
it,” Pippa said quietly as she stood up, poured a mug of coffee and handed it
to Grace. “So what is the word?”
“Well, Mary has
the tribute issue well in hand, and her staff are certainly doing a good job,”
Grace said before she took a sip from her mug.
“Her solicitor has done an amazing job, and her affairs were indeed in
order.”
“So what are
the arrangements,” Juliette said quietly.
“The funeral,
as per her will, be in Stonehaven on Thursday the 10th of
November. Church, then crematorium. I’ve asked Marina before coming in here to
make sure there are enough hotel bookings in the area, Anna.”
“Not a problem
– I take it the funeral is family and close friends only?”
Grace nodded as
she said “Mary and I gave some names to Doctor Frye, the minister. We presumed the editors, Juliette, and a few
others such as Kylie and Jeannie. I
called Mother before coming here, and she knows who else to contact.
“One thing –
the town wishes to pay its respects, so there will be a procession from the
town to the church. We need to let the
local police know who will walk in the procession, and who will wait at the
church.”
“Let me call
round and get that for you,” Pippa said as she made a note.
“Next up – and
Mother is spreading the word on this already – there will be a Memorial service
the next day at St Paul’s in London – Agnes very kindly spoke to her uncle, who
is the dean there. Anyone who wishes to
speak should let Mary know ASAP.”
As she took a
long drink from her mug, the door opened and Mary came in. “Apologies – I had to sort something out,”
she said quietly as she sat down. “Have
you told them?”
“About the
funeral and the memorial yes – Anna?”
“We’ll organise
a reception for after the memorial service,” Anna said quietly, “make sure
everyone knows. Had many requests to
speak yet Mary?”
“Just got off
the phone with Mother – some of the UK press wish to speak. You’d better tell them the other thing now
lass.”
“The memorial
service is at 2 that day – but at ten that morning,” Grace said as she looked
round the room, “all of us need to attend the reading of her will at the
solicitor’s office.”
“All of us?”
“Oh yes – and
one or two others who I know will be there…”
3 pm
The Brewster Brownstone
“Caroline –
come on in,” Jeannie said as she wheeled herself back, allowing Caroline to
come into the house. “Mum and Granddad
are out, but I can make some coffee if you want.”
“Please – are
you alone then?”
“Not quite
Darling,” she heard Kylie drawl before she walked into the kitchen, “we were
just finishing off a design assignment.”
“Well, it saves
me making two trips,” Caroline said as she sat down. “Grace is back, and she’s asked me to pass on
some news to you?”
“The funeral
arrangements?”
“Yeah – and
thanks,” Caroline said as Jeannie wheeled back, a mug of coffee in her
hand. “The funeral is on for the 10th,
in her home town, and there is a memorial service the next day in London. I presume you will both wish to go to both –
Grace will clear it with Miss Tennant.
Ama is at a training camp, but I will be coming over before heading to
Iceland.”
“I’ll let
Granddad know,” Jeannie said, “Kylie?”
“Marina and I
will talk later.”
“One other
thing,” Caroline said, “the morning before the memorial service, all three of
us are required to attend the reading of Fiona’s will – apparently, we are
mentioned in it.”
7 pm
The
Astoria-Waldorf
“Well, I’m glad
you all managed to arrive safely,” Agnes said as she stood in the private
dining room with her extended family, Miley and Laura sitting with Aileen,
Clodagh and Eve as waiters served drinks to the others.
“We’re glad we
made it darling,” Mandy said with her slow drawl, “despite the delay to our
flight.”
"So are
you enjoying Balliol John?" Donald asked the tall young man as they stood
to the side.
"Yes and
no Uncle Donald,” John sad as he adjusted his glasses. “I'm enjoying college
life, but reading law is just as hard as I was warned."
"I
remember hearing Catriona say that many years ago," Agnes smiled as she
came over.
"And PPE
was easy?" Donald laughed and kissed his fiancé as John shook his head.
"I think
reading law might have tested my brain," Aggie smiled a second time.
"Like hell it would darling."
Mandy laughed as she looked across the room.
"Well as a thicko reading Land Economy,” Jack said as he stood with Pepsi,
“I have to say..."
"JACK!"
his fiancé interrupted him with a hit on the side of the head,
"everybody knows now you aren't stupid, so don't pretend you are."
"Quite
right Pepsi," Tom Lardarn said as he smiled gently, "even Cambridge
doesn't give out firsts to the stupid...well at least not anymore."
"You know your inter-university and inter-school rivalries are worse than
ours even," Pepsi shook her head.
"They can
get a bit silly I agree," Tamsin said as she sipped her drink, "and
since I went to university in Dublin I have no role in this argument."
"What was
it that they used to say," Donald looked at his future sister-in-law with
merriment in his eyes, "Trinity Dublin is where you go if you are too
stupid to get into either Oxford or Cambridge?"
“NO!"
Tamsin laughed, 'and just be thankful my Chris is no longer with us, he might
just have said a few words about that."
"I
remember," Paula smiled as well, "he once got quite angry with Tom
for inferring such a thing.'
“And besides,
it’s not true – its Glasgow they go to,” Angel said with a smile.
“And how is your
course going darling?”
“Good so far,”
Angel said with a grin.
"And, in
the interests of some of us, just think of all of us who never even went to
university?" Eve spoke as she sat with Stephen.
"Darling
sister it's not like you didn't have the chance," Tom smiled. “Three A's at A-level would have got you in
virtually anywhere."
"She
always wanted to be a model more though," Stephen hugged his wife,
"and I think she was proven right darlin's."
"Like me
choosing to go to the Abbey School and study acting," Cassie poured
herself another drink, "it was what I wanted to do far more then go to
uni."
"We seem
to have strayed a long way from my original question to John," Donald
laughed, "but I'll agree we all need do what we see as best."
"And tough
or not, I know he will make a great lawyer one day," Kit linked her arm
through John’s and leaned up to kiss him.
Donald looked
to the door and smiled. “Ah – dinner is
served. Shall we?”
4 pm CT
Oakland Hills
The Clarke Apartment
“Hey – anyone
home,” David said as he opened the door, smiling as Mary looked out from the
front room and said “hey – not at the game today?”
“Nope – the
House is meeting us at the airport tomorrow, but these two wanted to drop in
and say hi,” David said as Sally and Trina came into the apartment as
well. “Something about making sure
they’re not clashing with you?”
“Well, that and
wanting to be with my man,” Sally said as she held David’s arm and kissed him
on the cheek. “So where are the others?”
“Vikki and the
boys are at the cinema, and as for Suzie she’s doing a photo shoot.”
“And Allison?”
“Still
grounded,” Allison said with a wry smile as she appeared from her the bedroom
door. “I guess I have to show I can
behave myself for the rest of this week.”
“Well, after
what happened at Sebring,” Mary said as she shook her head, “what did you think
was going to happen when Pops opened the door on both of you?”
Allison shook
her head as she headed for the kitchen, whispering “come the HOTS this time” as
they heard the coffee machine start.
“Y’know, I
never thought it would be Allison,” David said as he looked over.
“Anyway, got
your costumes sorted out,” Mary said as she looked at Trina and Sally.
“Yeah – I
decided to go to my family history, and a claim jumper am I,” Trina said with a
smile.
“And you
Sally?”
“David and I
are doing a double act.”
“Bonnie and
Clyde?”
“Nope – Rocky
and Bullwinkle…”
8.30 pm
West Central Park
“Katy is at
Marina and Kylie’s apartment- they offered to share some of their meditation
lessons with her,” Jan said as she sat with Eleanor Ball and Yvonne Leventhal,
“and Mom is at a re-election meeting.”
“Ah yes – Tom
was telling us about that today,” Yvonne said as she held her coffee cup, “not
too long now until the day.”
“A week on
Tuesday,” Eleanor said quietly, “and I cannot shake the feeling this country
may be about to do something almost as stupid as the UK did earlier this
summer.”
“You mean he
may win?”
Eleanor nodded
as Yvonne shook her head, took a drink of her coffee and then put her cup
down. “It must be something in the air,”
she said as she shook her head, while Jan looked to the door. “Can I just say, it makes a refreshing change
for the men to do the dishes?”
“Are you saying
we are not domesticated,” Adam said as he and Clive came in.
“No – but thank
you,” Eleanor said with a smile as they sat down. “So where is Simon tonight?”
“They went to
have dinner with Annie and Carina, and to visit the babies,” Yvonne said as
Eleanor looked closely at the smile on her face, and then whispered “no…”
“No what,” Adam
said as he looked at his mother.
“Yvonne, is
there something you wish to tell the room?”
Smiling, Yvonne
said “nothing I can say at this time – please be patient with us…”
The Village
“NO!”
“Yes – but
don’t tell anyone for the moment,” Bobbi said as both Carina and Annie looked
at her and Simon. “Pops wants it kept
under wraps, and we’ll make a formal announcement after the election.”
“As if we
haven’t had enough weddings,” Annie said as she shook her head, while Rudi sat
on her knee, “but congratulations, both of you.
So have you fixed any dates yet?”
“Not yet – the
issue been we both want to complete our degrees, but there will be a third
member of our family before that happens.”
“I’m looking
into the possibility of transferring to Browns next year,” Simon said as he
held Bobbi’s hand, “and finishing my degree here. Either that or taking a year out – I’ll
discuss it further with my tutors when ‘I get back after this week.”
“Does Cambridge
allow a gap year?”
“In special
circumstances, yes – I could try and get an internship somewhere here in New
York for example.”
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